Put the Sword Away

Judas Betrays Jesus Nightly · Mark 14

Story guide: Jesus halting escalation as Judas and Peter stand before approaching guards in Gethsemane. This shared image is not a scene-for-scene rendering of Mark 14:43-52.

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43And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas arrived, one of the Twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44The one betraying him had given them a signal, saying, “The one I kiss is he. Seize him and lead him away securely.”

45And when he came, he immediately went up to him and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him repeatedly.

46Then they laid hands on him and seized him.

47But one of those standing nearby drew his sword and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.

48And Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to arrest me?”

49Day after day I was with you in the temple, teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.

50And leaving him, they all fled.

51And a certain young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth over his naked body, and they seize him,

52But he left the linen cloth behind and fled naked.

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